Gestational Diabetes — On Broadening the Diagnosis

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus, which is defined as the onset or first recognition of carbohydrate intolerance during pregnancy, is estimated to affect between 6 and 9% of pregnant women in the United States.1,2 Associated perinatal outcomes include excessive fetal growth that can lead to maternal or fetal birth trauma, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and neonatal hypoglycemia.3 Trials have shown that the treatment of women with gestational diabetes can reduce many of these immediate outcomes,4,5 and these trials led the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to conclude that there is a net benefit to routinely screening for and treating gestational diabetes.6 Despite . . .

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